Jonathan Trott: The messiah who nurtured Afghanistan as his own

“Coming to the World Cup and winning three is a beautiful feeling, but also the realization and the reality that we haven’t won anything yet.”

2024 was a year Afghanistan will never forget. They made it to the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup for the first time, a moment that sent waves of pride across the country. But for Jonathan Trott, the celebrations were never the end goal. Even in the midst of historic success, he spoke of “reality”, of unfinished business, of the hunger to win a title and not just make up numbers.

And what a journey it was. Afghanistan didn’t just qualify for the Super 8s; they stunned mighty Australia and made it to the semi-finals, rewriting impressions along the way. It was fearless, it was bold, and it had Trott’s fingerprints all over it. He required faith before the world believed. He insisted they look the giants in the eye before taking them seriously.

Trott never had the glittering, record-breaking playing career of England greats Joe Root or Alastair Cook. His name was respected but not placed on a pedestal. Yet as a coach, he built something far more lasting than personal milestones—he built an identity. He set standards. He built a mindset.

When his tenure as head coach ended after Afghanistan’s last group match against Canada no great celebration was needed on Thursday to gauge its impact. The sincere tribute of the Afghan players spoke volumes. The hug lingered and the emotions were raw. It wasn’t just a coach moving on from the role; he was a mentor who stepped back from a mission into which he poured his heart and soul.

REDEFINING THE IDENTITY OF AFGHANISTAN CRICKET

When Trott took over as Afghanistan head coach in 2022, the team was still looking for consistency and belief. After their historic ODI World Cup victory over Scotland in 2015, Afghanistan endured a brutal campaign in 2019, losing all nine matches. The promise was visible, but progress stalled.

Trott’s arrival marked the beginning of a quiet transformation. By the end of 2023, the shift was unmistakable. Afghanistan became more than spirited participants. They didn’t qualify for the semi-finals of the World Cup, but that year showed just how dangerous they can be on the world stage. It was a tournament where Trott took Afghan cricket to another level – a fearless, uncompromising level.

The defining moment came when they stunned defending champions England in New Delhi to record their first ever victory over a full-fledged nation in an ODI World Cup. It wasn’t just a victory; it was a statement. And they weren’t done. Afghanistan followed it up with their first international win over Pakistan. They dismantled Sri Lanka with authority soon after, proving that England’s triumph was no fluke.

There was also heartbreak, and perhaps the clearest sign of how far they had come. Afghanistan were one leg up against Australia in a famous victory before Glenn Maxwell produced a breathtaking double century in a miraculous chase. Even after defeat, Afghanistan earned worldwide admiration.

By the time the World Cup was over, Trott had reshaped the narrative of Afghan cricket. They were no longer a side that could be underestimated by opponents. They were organized, disciplined and brimming with faith. Trott instilled in the roles clarity, resilience under pressure and the courage to compete without fear.

EMOTIONAL FAREWELL

Rashid Khan has worked closely with Jonathan Trott since the Englishman first took charge of the Afghanistan team and has developed a strong professional bond over the years. It was therefore no surprise when Rashid became emotional as he said goodbye to his coach.

The Afghanistan captain thanked Trott for his unwavering faith and leadership and said the team is where it is today because of his influence. For Rashid, it was not just the end of coaching, but a farewell to a mentor who helped shape Afghanistan’s modern cricketing identity.

“We have had a great time with him since he joined the team in the last few years. I feel he has done a lot for Afghanistan cricket. He has played a major role in keeping the team together where we are today. It’s quite emotional to see him go but that’s life – you can’t stay forever. We wish him all the best and hope to see him around Afghanistan again after the upcoming tournaments,” Raghani said.

The emotion was unmistakable as Jonathan Trott presented Ibrahim Zadran with the Man of the Match award for his majestic 95. It was more than a ceremonial handover – it felt like a symbolic passing of the torch. Stunned, visibly moved, dedicated the award to Trott and thanked him for guiding Afghan cricket to grow in stature and belief.

TIME FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER

For Afghanistan, the Trott chapter may be closed, but the story is far from over. He laid a solid foundation, and more importantly, instilled the belief that they were capable of not only competing, but winning major titles. Faith is now anchored in the dressing room.

The onus shifts to the entire Afghan cricket ecosystem to ensure that Trott’s hard work does not fade with time. Instead, it must serve as a springboard. The standards he set, the discipline he demanded and the mindset he fostered must continue to shape the team’s future. If nurtured well, the seeds Trott planted could one day grow into silver – and that would be the truest tribute to his legacy.

– The end

Published on:

February 20, 2026

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